About us

What we are

Film Otago Southland is a not-for-profit Trust supporting screen production in the region. We work in collaboration with the Queenstown Lakes and Dunedin council film offices to provide pan-regional cohesion and a seamless experience for filmmakers, productions and film businesses no matter where you operate, create or film in Otago and Southland.

Our region covers the districts of: Queenstown Lakes, Dunedin, Southland, Central Otago, Waitaki and Clutha.

 

What we do

Our work is multi-faceted, but it includes assisting with film permits, connecting incoming productions with local crew and businesses, facilitating workshops and courses to upskill local talent, advocating for film-friendly policies and legislation, and more.

The Co-Managers of Film Otago Southland manage the in-house film offices for the Queenstown Lakes District and Dunedin City councils, so we have direct lines of contact into the local councils and other government agencies.

Whatever your filming enquiry is, get in touch with us to see how we can help.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Recent Annual Reports

Recent Newsletters

Meet the Team

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Stefan Roesch

Stefan manages Film Dunedin and co-manages Film Otago Southland alongside Kahli.

Stefan Roesch has 20 years of experience in market research and is a leading expert on film tourism. In 2003, he emigrated to New Zealand to embark on the world’s first PhD in Film Tourism at the University of Otago. He has consulted various destinations on film tourism projects around the world, including the likes of VisitBritain on the movie PADDINGTON and Tourism Northern Ireland on GAME OF THRONES. 

To date, Stefan has produced three award-winning short films – two in Germany and one in New Zealand. In October 2023, Stefan became an AFCI Certified Film Commissioner and in January 2024, Stefan was elected on the AFCI Board of Directors. He currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Regional Film Offices of New Zealand (RFONZ).

Contact Stefan: stefan.roesch@dcc.govt.nz

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Kahli Scott

Kahli manages Film Queenstown Lakes and co-manages Film Otago Southland alongside Stefan.

Kahli has over ten years of experience supporting and advocating for the creative, media and entertainment industries. Born in Canada and raised in Australia, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Creative and Professional Writing. Prior to moving to Queenstown, she spent time in London working for major media and entertainment events such as the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Kahli is also an AFCI Certified Film Commissioner as well as a published writer.

Contact Kahli: kahli.scott@qldc.govt.nz

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Nadia Insolia

Nadia provides Administration Support to the Film Otago Southland team.

Nadia is a Queenstown based creative, emerging in the film industry. Born in Melbourne, she has broadly studied in creative fields including Interior Design, Graphic Design and Arts. She is a local yoga teacher and artist and actively works in the screen industry however she can get involved - from large scale international productions through to local content, Nadia is passionate about the industry.

Nadia has recently produced an award winning TVC in Queenstown for a national organisation.

Contact Nadia: nadia@filmotagosouthland.com

Trust Board

Film Otago Southland is a Trust funded by contributing regional councils and other organisations, as follows: Queenstown Lakes District Council, Dunedin City Council, Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), Central Otago District Council and Waitaki District Council.
 
The Trust acts as a point of coordination for filming activity within the region, striving to maximise the economic benefits of this activity, while raising Otago Southland’s profile as a world-class location in which to do business. 

Current Trustees in 2026 are:

Our Logo

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Our logo is inspired by four significant peaks that represent the diverse districts in the Otago and Southland region: Mt Aspiring – Tititea (Queenstown Lakes), Habour Cone – Hereweka (Dunedin), Mitre Peak – Rahotu (Southland), Lindis Pass – Ōmakō (Central Otago and Waitaki).

The combination of these landmarks provides a geographic anchor and links to our united effort in supporting and promoting screen production across the region. 

You can also find out more information about traditional place names and associated stories within the Ngāi Tahu rohe in Te Waipounamu/the South Island by visiting the Ngāi Tahu Atlas and Cultural Mapping Project: Atlas | Cultural Mapping Project

Film-Friendly

Brokering enduring good relations

Showcase

Celebrating Otago-Southland on screen

Opportunity

Foregrounding local film professionals

Facilitate

Cutting through the red tape for you

Add Value

Stimulating regional economic growth

Sustainable

Partnering regional location guardians

Get in touch

One of the highlights of my life was to involve that entire [Tapanui] community in the filmmaking process. - David Lowery, on filming PETE'S DRAGON in Tapanui

Film Otago Southland is funded and endorsed by

Central Otago District Council
Dunedin
Queenstown Lates District Council
Southern Institute of Technology
Waitaki District Council

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